EVERYDAY by Widespread Panic was the first Panic album I bought way back in 1994.After seeing them live for three shows in a row, I had to check out their junior effort on Capricorn.This album blends blues, rock,,jazz, improvisational jamming and creates a total ambience that only Panic can create upon the mind when it is ingesting their colorful gumbo of sounds.The band consists of vocalist/guitarist John Bell, guitarist/vocalist Mike Houser, Bass/ vocalist Dave Schools, Keyboards/ vocalist JoJo Hermann, Percussionist/ Vocalist Domingo "Sunny" Ortiz, and rounding out the band Todd Nance on drums.

The album starts off with a Michael Houser song entitiled Pleas. This song starts off with great vocals by John Bell. The song has a funky upbeat backed by Schools, Nance, and Ortiz.This song showcases the band's rock and soul attitude while also putting emphasis on the great cohesiveness that the band creates within it.

Wondering starts off the second track. This song is a great number which is a fan favorite.Great playing all around and solid drumming create an excellent track. Panic has great time changes which are reflected from funky to solid ethereal greatness.

Hatfield is another great song which showcases the band playing many distinct funky time changes.This song is about a rainmaker in 1800's California.JoJo and Schools really showcase their talents on this one.Within the great jamming pool in the middle Schools pulls off an exhilirating solo which sends you soaring as high as hatfiled's concoction. He is a six string bass player and plays like a whirlwind. JoJo also plays his heart out.The band definitely kicks this one out into space.

Papa's Home is a spooky and melancholy number. The great raspy vocals of Bell as well as the echo effect on Nance's snare create a ghostly song.The breakdown in the middle showcases JoJo's great barrelhouse piano playing.This song is structured very offbeat.

Diner is another great track off of the album.The whole band takes a great solid percussion angle and uplifting rhythm and lead guitar showmanship.Michael Houser and John Bell are greatly underrated guitar players and they deserve a whole lot of credit on this great guitar driven number.

Pilgrims is a very mellow song with a great alternate picking syle by Houser throughout. Great lyrics and spacy time changes prevail in this tune. This song is a personal favorite of mine.

Pickin up the Pieces is a great mellow grooving song. JoJo Hermann's keyboard playing is excellent and you can see why his first studio effort with the band is one of their best albums. Bell's rhythm guitar shines throughout.This song is very mellow and the great bluesey guitar playing makes this one a very laid back.

Postcard is ahard rocking number which showcases Panic's foray into a little hard Rocking hoe down.The solid drumming of Nance and the distorted guitar playing make this one a fan favorite.And like Bell says after this song "I don't ever wanna leave", neither do I, this c.d. kicks it down.

Dreamsong rounds out the album and it has great percussion throughout it, played by Domingo. This song is dreamy and it takes you out into the vastness of space and beyond.The great delay on the guitar and Bell's vocals take you on a journey.

EVERYDAY is Widespread Panic's third release and it is one of their best.I recommend listening to this album if it is your first one to hear from the band.Another great album for newbies within the Panic catalog to checkout would be their Mom's Kitchen album. Also I would recommend their Light Fuse Get Away live video from their album relase party. Some of the songs on EVERYDAY are played live with great visual representations.I recommend you kick back, stir up a drink of your choice and let EVERYDAY take you on a journey only where JB and the boys can take you.



Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Driving